What is the Difference Between The Museum of Flight and Boeing Future of Flight?

While they may have similar names, the Museum of Flight and Boeing Future of Flight (formerly the Future of Flight Aviation Center) are two very different experiences.

One major difference is location. The Museum of Flight is in Tukwila, Washington, part of the Seattle Southside region. It's just a short drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), on East Marginal Way, and less than 30 minutes south of downtown Seattle.

Boeing Future of Flight is in the opposite direction, 25 miles north of downtown Seattle (about an hour's drive, depending on traffic).

However, they also have unique offerings and both are worth a visit! Read on to learn more.

Grande galerie du Musée de l'aviation à Tukwila, Washington
The Great Gallery at the Museum of Flight in Tukwila, Washington.

What They Offer

The short answer: The Museum of Flight is broad in scope and gives you a comprehensive educational look at flight and air travel, while Boeing's Future of Flight is focused on the achievements of The Boeing Company.

Le Musée de l'aviation

The Museum of Flight is one of the most popular attractions in Seattle Southside and the world's largest independent, non-profit air and space museum. This impressive space brings the history of flight to life with more than 175 historic aircraft and spacecraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, millions of rare photographs, dozens of exhibits and experiences, and a world-class library. You'll also find interactive exhibits covering flight history from the Wright brothers to space travel and deep dives into lesser-known slices of U.S. military history. With kid-friendly exhibits and flight simulators, seasonal events, and rotating exhibits, it's a terrific place to check out when you're in the area and a destination for aviation enthusiasts.

Some must-see highlights include:

  • Airpark & Boeing 747 – Walk through the world’s first Boeing 747, a Concorde, and Air Force One in the outdoor Airpark.
  • Space Travel Exhibits – Explore NASA’s Space Shuttle Trainer, a full-scale mock-up used to train astronauts and check out artifacts from the Apollo space missions.
  • World War I & II Galleries – Step into immersive exhibits featuring vintage aircraft, uniforms, and firsthand stories from both world wars.
  • Flight Simulators – Try your hand at piloting with fun and challenging simulators for all ages.
  • Kid’s Flight Zone – A hands-on, interactive space for kids to learn and play through aviation-themed activities.

Boeing Future of Flight

Boeing Future of Flight hosts a gallery featuring current and future Boeing products, inviting you to explore cutting-edge advancements in space and hypersonic travel, sustainable fuels, autonomous aerial systems, and more. It is also the gateway to tours of the Boeing Everett Factory, the largest building in the world (by volume). The guided tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at airplane production. It will give you a new appreciation of the Boeing assembly process, ingenuity, and the aircraft created in this larger-than-life structure. The center is made possible through collaboration between The Boeing Company, Snohomish County, and Paine Field Airport.

  • Boeing Everett Factory Tour – Experience an 80-minute guided tour offering an inside look at the Boeing Everett Factory and the 777/777X assembly process. ​(Availability of certain experiences, such as the Boeing Everett Factory Tour, may vary based on current operations. It's recommended to check the official website or contact Boeing Future of Flight Customer Service for the most up-to-date information.​
  • Gallery Exhibits – Explore interactive exhibits showcasing Boeing's legacy of innovation and future aerospace developments, including space exploration and sustainable aviation. ​
  • Sky Deck – Enjoy panoramic views of Paine Field, the Boeing Everett Factory, and the North Cascades mountain range, with front-row access to daily flight operations. ​

Getting To Each Museum

Orientations pour l'avenir du vol

Depuis l'Interstate 5 Nord ou Sud, prenez la sortie 189 et dirigez-vous vers l'ouest. Juste après le bâtiment d'assemblage de Boeing, prenez à gauche au feu à quatre voies où l'autoroute 526 croise la 84e rue SW et le boulevard Paine Field. L'entrée pour le Future of Flight & Boeing Tour se trouve sur votre gauche.

Le stationnement est gratuit. Les enfants doivent mesurer 4 pieds pour participer à la visite Boeing.

Les transports publics sont limités en semaine et inexistants le week-end.

Itinéraire vers le Musée de l'aviation

En voiture :
Le musée est très bien situé, à une minute de l'Interstate 5 et à seulement 10 minutes au sud du centre-ville de Seattle.

1. Prenez la sortie 158 de la I-5.

2. Tournez à droite au premier feu rouge (E. Marginal Way S.).

3. Le musée se trouve sur la droite, à 800 mètres.

Parking :
Un parking gratuit est disponible à côté du musée et un parking limité à côté de la bibliothèque et de l'aéroparc.
Leparking pour les bus de tourisme est situé au sud du musée dans le parking Boeing Oxbow.

En bus :
Depuis le centre-ville de Seattle ou la gare de Tukwila, prenez le bus METRO n°124. Le bus s'arrête directement devant le musée.

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Le Musée de l'aviation

Auteur

Meagan McGuire